Airlines targeted in climate change report
The airline industry has been targeted by the Committee of Climate Change in its latest report to the Government.
The committee advised that greenhouse gas emissions from international flights, and also shipping, should be included in the UK’s carbon budgets.
It said the two industries are major sources of pollution and carbon budgets up to 2027 should be increased to allow for their emissions.
At present, international flights and shipping are not included in the targets.
The government has until the end of 2012 to decide whether to include them.
The UK has pledged to cut its climate-changing emissions by 80%, based on 1990 levels, by 2050.
The committee’s chief executive David Kennedy said: “At the moment there’s uncertainty over how aviation or shipping emissions will be treated in the future.
“There isn’t any valid reason why the government should reject the advice we’re giving, and if they were to do so, that would be a rolling back in terms of commitments on building a low-carbon economy.”
But he said the UK should not try to reduce emissions from the two industries, which could hurt the country’s competitiveness.
“If you have draconian policies, people will take a short-haul flight to Holland, France or Germany and get on their long-haul flight,” he said.
“There wouldn’t be a very well-connected economy and will you get inward investment from international companies?”
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports